STARTO ENTERTAINMENT has terminated its exclusive contract with timelesz member Shuto Inomata, effective September 30. Inomata has also left the group, and timelesz will continue their activities with seven members.

Inomata was arrested on September 19 on suspicion of bodily injury after allegedly striking a female acquaintance in the face. He was subsequently suspended from activities by STARTO ENTERTAINMENT. Although he has since been released without a decision on prosecution, the investigation remains ongoing and no final criminal disposition has been determined.

In a statement released on October 1, STARTO said it conducted interviews with Inomata and reviewed the circumstances before determining that he had committed a serious violation of his exclusive contract. The company emphasized that its decision to terminate the contract was made independently of any potential criminal proceedings.

STARTO also stated that the other seven members were not involved in the incident and that the decision to terminate Inomata's contract was made by the company rather than the group.